UTICA, NY - The Utica University women's lacrosse team suffered its first loss of the season, 6-5, in a tightly contested game to the Oswego State Lakers on Wednesday. 
 
Alyssa Drell (Mastic, NY/William Floyd) and Samantha DeCondo (Whitesboro, NY/Whitesboro) tallied two goals each, Drell doing so on her two and only shots on goal, while Ruby Ackerman (Bethel, CT/Bethel) notched one on one shot attempt. Katie Crofoot (Montgomery, NY/Valley Central) had both of the team's assists in the game while in goal, Breese Burlingame (Binghamton, NY/Northfield Mount Hermon) made 10 saves in the losing effort. 
 
The Lakers were firing on all cylinders in the first quarter as the visitors put eight shots on goal and attempted 14 total to Utica's two. Oswego struck first with 11:24 to play in the first, however, DeCondo quickly responded on a free position shot 50 seconds later to tie the game at 1-1. 
 
Oswego regained the lead two minutes later at the 8:40 mark in the first when once again, the Pioneers answered right back. Just over one minute later, Drell fired in a pass from Crofoot to make it a 2-2 game. The Lakers scored once more in the quarter as the visitors led 3-2 after one full. 
 
Nearly five minutes into the second, Crofoot connected with Drell again to even the game at 3-3. On the team's ensuing offensive possession, the Lakers took control once again for a 4-3 lead before ultimately taking a 5-3 lead into halftime after a free position goal with 20 seconds left. 
 
The second half was centered around spectacular defensive play by both sides as both teams were limited to five shots on goal over the final 30 minutes. 
 
Ackerman closed the Pioneers' gap to one goal with an unassisted tally with 10:49 to play in the third quarter. That would be all for the third as the Lakers clinged to a 5-4 lead entering the final 15 minutes. 
 
Not long into the fourth, Oswego jumped back ahead by two on another free position goal with 13:18 to play. With the game winding down, DeCondo put Utica back within striking distance with just over two minutes to play with her second goal of the evening. 
 
With 1:15 to play and the score still 6-5 in favor of Oswego, Crofoot lined up with a chance to tie the game on a free position. However, her shot would be unsuccessful and Oswego was able to control the ground ball and bleed out the clock for the road win. 
 
Utica (2-1, 0-0 Empire 8) will hit the road on Saturday to take on the College of Mount Saint Vincent at 1 p.m. from Riverdale, NY.